Home Insurance Issue - Possible Refund

HappySnapper7

Having problems today, trying to claim for damaged camera gear with my insurer.
They say, as I have a photography website, that I am a professional, therefore they wont pay out. I've been arguing my case, as I don't make money from my photography but no luck so far.

It's gone to their complaints dept, but I feel I may have a case to get a refund on payments made.

A few years earlier, I was in the same circumstances , and they paid out for a similar camera related issue. Since then I have been paying my premiums, mentioning I was making sure I had enough cover for my camera gear, each year I renewed.

I now feel that I've been sold a dud for a few years, if I wasn't eligible for camera cover, the only thing I really have insurance for, since I last claimed a few years earlier.

Anyone with any ideas before I speak to them?

FutureGirl

Your policy will change over the years. What may have been covered just last year may not be covered now.

It sounds as if they're classing it as 'business / work' use, which, for the majority of insurers, only covers office equipment.

What is the website for?

cinereus

FutureGirl wrote: »

Your policy will change over the years. What may have been covered just last year may not be covered now.

It sounds as if they're classing it as 'business / work' use, which, for the majority of insurers, only covers office equipment.

What is the website for?

And more importantly how did they find out about it?!

Keep_pedalling

You say you don't make money, but do offer any of you work for sale on your website?

paddyandstumpy

Just to clarify, is this home insurance with specified camera cover?

If anything, you may be entitled to claim the refund for any premiums directly attributed to the specified camera, but not ask for a refund for your entire policy!

It's contents cover, it covers all your contents, it just your camera!

forgotmyname

As above whats actually on your website?

csgohan4

forgotmyname wrote: »

As above whats actually on your website?

Insurers aren't stupid, if you watch 'claimed and shamed', they actually trawl through your social media to find any caveats not to claim. That also includes a quick google search for you.


Every time you renew insurance it is always buyer beware, T+C's maybe different.

FutureGirl

cinereus wrote: »

And more importantly how did they find out about it?!

I have had customers claim for expensive camera equipment and tell me it isn't their job. A quick google search of their name can easily prove otherwise. This is likely how they know he has a website if he didn't tell them about it himself.

gemnomnom

OP, I think you have a strong case in that by paying a previous claim for business equipment, the insurer has set a precedent and waived their right to repudiate your claim. Did you have your website back then? If so, the info they have found on you now was also there to be seen at the first claims stage.

Hope this helps

HappySnapper7

Hi folks, sorry for the delay in replying.

They did find it via a web search. It's a glorified portfolio, with no pricing or any offer of services, bar asking people to get in touch if they were interested in my work.
I was able to access my about page from 2012 via the Wayback machine and it states the same thing, so obviously, what was on offer when they paid out in 2013.

I remembered yesterday that I could access my site stats, and when you have only only 15 visitors last month, it's pretty obvious that I'm not running a business, if I was , it would be a terrible one!

paddyandstumpy

I'm not sure just because they've paid out in the past they will again. Perhaps they didn't have the processes in place then to find this sort of thing. Perhaps you got lucky before? As it's a new contract year and a new contract you don't have a leg to stand on, metaphorically.

Inviting people to contact you about your photos indicates you are willing to sell them, even if this is a sideline business. Why else would you ask them to contact you?

I think your best bet is to ask for the premium for specifying the camera back (not the whole premium, the rest of the risk isn't invalid) just for this policy year. Previous policies are completed therefore you don't have a case to get that back.